Ann Callis: Wage inequity hurts Illinois families

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The State Journal-Register

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Posted Apr. 11, 2014 at 1:07 AM

Posted Apr. 11, 2014 at 1:07 AM

As a candidate for Congress, I think it is important to give a voice to those who need our help. As a woman and a mother, I know the lack of equal pay for women as a critical issue in our community and for our nation’s economy.

This year in Illinois, women make 78 cents for each dollar a man makes for the same job. Women of color are paid less — African-American women make 65 cents per male dollar, and Hispanic women earn only 48 cents per male dollar.

This wage gap doesn’t just affect women. It hurts families and the entire economy. Many households across Illinois rely on women’s salaries as all or part of the family income. Paying women less for the same jobs their male co-workers do hurts families’ ability to put food on the table, save for retirement, pay for health care or buy a house.

Earlier this week, we recognized Equal Pay Day because it signifies the day a woman’s wages would catch up to her male counterparts from the prior year. That is not an exaggeration. Women have to work nearly 100 days more to earn the same wage. This is unacceptable, and the lack of progress on this issue in Washington baffles me.

To start, Congress must pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to ensure women are paid equally to their male colleagues for the same work. It’s also time to raise the national minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Here in Illinois, we know that six in 10 minimum-wage earners are women, many of whom are head of household. Raising the minimum wage would give more than 630,000 Illinois women a raise.

Unfortunately, my opponent, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, has failed to give a voice to Illinois’ middle-class families. He voted against raising the minimum wage and said he has no plans to “engage in women-specific messaging.” He voted to block a paycheck fairness bill last year, and his party has rejected the legislation on multiple occasions. He doesn’t understand that ending the wage gap gives women and families a fair chance to get ahead, not just get by.

Families across Illinois need a strong voice to advocate for equal pay and other common-sense solutions that help strengthen families and improve our economy. That’s why I’m running for Congress.

Ann Callis is the Democratic nominee for Congress in Illinois’ 13th District, which includes portions of The State Journal-Register readership area.